How It Began, This "Purpose."

Over the years, many people have asked "how and why did you get into helping animals Rachel?"

Obviously, the people who ask aren't the ones that knew me as a pre-adolescent, when it all began.

I despise the use of cliches, but I'm sure most people have heard the phrase - "it found me" -- whether referring to a professional field, a 4 legged friend, or even just plain love.

Well at the age of 11, I stared into the eyes of a lobster and it hit me, I would never be able to eat another animal, and my quest to help all creatures burst forth from there.

Two years of vegetarianism later, I had delved into the broad world of animal rights; animal cruelty, laboratory testing, factory farming, companion animal overpopulation and other areas of animal abuse and exploitation. At 13, I became a member of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (unbeknownst to my physician/scientist father). Throughout middle school I refused to dissect any animal, (painfully made clear to my parents with my dis-satisfactory grade), I researched and presented reports on animal exploitation issues, and continued to refuse my grandmother's brisket, chicken soup, and "nice piece of fish."

My diet didn't seem abnormal to me at all. On the contrary, as a varsity gymnast for four years in high school, the veggies and carbs did my body good. Sure it was difficult to find a balanced meal at times - in those days there were hardly as many options as we have today. Difficult, but I must admit, it didn't frustrate me. There hasn't been a single day in over 20 years that my personal conviction and dedication has been unsteady.

Animal welfare - the welfare of all animals "found me." I knew that for the rest of my life, I would work on behalf of every at-risk creature. It wasn't a choice, it was a magnet, and I was, am always being pulled towards it.

I suppose some people call it a "purpose."

There are other passions of mine, and I feel lucky to have explored such vastly different and exciting areas in the advertising, entertainment, literary and music worlds.

It is hard to walk away from what we deal with in this field. This is certainly not a "9-5er" profession, or one in which you feel you've done enough. "Enough" is never close when animals are needlessly dying and suffering every day.

I learned the hard way my first years working in animal welfare, my entire focus was on my job running a spay and neuter clinic. Hundreds of physically and emotionally challenging hours spent in the field trying to educate pet owners, while all "spare" moments involved the side effects of spending so much time in low-income communities: fielding calls, saving strays, witness to abuse, communication breakdowns, extreme poverty, and general apathy towards the creatures I held so dear to my heart. There was no time for anything else. It is no wonder that I lost touch with many of my friends during that time.

Over most recent years, I've come to understand what "balance" means. I started to make room for my other passions and activities. Ironically, with a life more well-rounded shall we say, I find that I am a better professional. My ideas are more fresh, and creative.

Although my "purpose" found me long ago, I firmly believe it can hit anyone anytime. So perhaps the answer to that question "why did you get into this Rachel?" should be simply put --
I didn't, it got into me.

Today, I read an article about a 60-year old woman who started an animal rescue in China, and recently took in 100 of the earthquake area stray and injured dogs. She left her successful career, bought a few vans, started picking up more and more strays, and set up a sanctuary called "House of Love."

Her response to the same question that I have been posed is so powerful and so perfect to me, I just may steal it:

"I started down a road, and couldn't turn around."